Metallica – Enter Sandman

Enter Sandman drum sheet music – a note-for-note transcription of Lars Ulrich’s drum part on Metallica’s “Enter Sandman”, from the album Metallica (1991). Every groove, fill and cymbal hit is written out from the original recording in a clean, print-ready PDF.

About the drum part

“Enter Sandman” opened Metallica’s 1991 “Black Album” and became one of the band’s biggest hits. Lars Ulrich’s part is less about speed than about weight and precision, which makes it a favourite for drummers moving into metal.

The intro builds in layers: hi-hat alone, then a tom pattern, then an eighth-note snare build with a crescendo. The main groove is a steady eighth-note hi-hat beat with the snare on 2 and 4 and a grace-note snare pickup before the bar – the little detail that makes the part sound like the record.

What’s in the Enter Sandman drum sheet music

This Enter Sandman drum sheet music fits on a single page by using repeats, first/second/third-time endings, a D.S. al Coda and a “To Coda” sign. Sections are labelled (intro, verses, pre-chorus, chorus and post-chorus), and choked cymbal hits are marked “choke”.

Looking for Enter Sandman drum tabs? This is full drum notation on a five-line staff, so it shows the exact rhythm of every note – something tabs can’t do.

Song facts

• Artist: Metallica
• Album: Metallica (1991)
• Drummer: Lars Ulrich
• Tempo: ♩ = 120
• Time signature: 4/4
• Style: Heavy metal
• Level: Intermediate

What you get

• The full song, transcribed note-for-note from the original recording
• Clearly labelled song sections
• Professionally engraved, print-ready PDF
• Instant download after purchase

How to practise Enter Sandman on drums

Once you have the Enter Sandman drum sheet music, here is a good way to learn it:

1. Learn the intro layers. Practise the hi-hat, tom and snare build parts separately, then link them.
2. Get the grace-note pickup right. The quiet note before the snare should be soft and just ahead of the beat.
3. Follow the road map. Walk through the repeats, D.S. and Coda signs without playing first, so you know the order of sections.
4. Play along. At 120 bpm this is a great play-along song once the parts are solid.

Reading tips for this chart

• Open and closed hi-hat are marked with a small “o” (open) and “+” (closed) above the note. The timing of the openings is part of the groove, so follow them closely.
• Road-map signs (segno, D.S., D.C., “To Coda”) tell you where to jump. Trace the order of sections with your finger before you play.
• First- and second-time endings show which bars to play on each pass of a repeat. Play the bracket marked “1.” the first time and skip to “2.” the next time.
• Choked cymbals are marked “choke”. Hit the cymbal and grab it straight away with your other hand so the sound stops short.
• Repeat bars (the slash signs) mean “play the previous bar or bars again”. The small numbers above them count the bars so you do not lose your place.

Who is it for?

This Enter Sandman drum sheet music is great for intermediate drummers and ambitious beginners who want a real metal classic that is not too fast. It is also a good way to learn how to read a chart that uses D.S. al Coda.

More Metallica drum sheet music

You might also like Ride The Lightning, The Unforgiven, Nothing Else Matters, and the rest of the Metallica drum sheet music collection.

Frequently asked questions

Is this Enter Sandman drum sheet music the full song?

Yes. It is the complete drum part, transcribed note-for-note from the original recording on Metallica. Nothing is simplified.

Is it a drum tab or real notation?

It is real drum notation, the standard way drum parts are written. If you are used to tabs, it is worth the switch – notation shows rhythm exactly, which tabs can’t.

How do I get the PDF after I buy?

The download link appears straight after checkout and is also sent to your email. You can print the PDF or read it on a tablet.

Listen to the song on YouTube · Got any questions? Get in touch · Need another song? Custom drum transcriptions